Cardiovascular Emergencies are the most likely medical threat to the client

Executive / Close Protection Officers / Bodyguards are specialists trained to protect their clients from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats. However the most likely events to negatively affect their clients (while being “protected”) will be of medical nature.

Understanding the medical risk profile of the client, being trained in early recognition of medical symptoms, having access to the appropriate medical equipment / resources and taking timely & appropriate actions can be life saving. The leading cause of death (mortality) remains cardiovascular disease and leading cause of disability (morbidity) injury.

In order to understand the medical risk profile of the client (principal) it is important to consider his/her known risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Heart Attack and Stroke: Risk Factors

  • Smoking
  • Physically inactive
  • Poor eating habits
  • Overweight — major risk factor
  • Excessive alcohol
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Above 45 years of age
  • Male
  • Family history of heart disease
  • African American origin Also the country from which the client originates provides an indication of the risk of cardiovascular disease.


Source: Canuckguy – Note: the darker the color the higher the cardiovascular risk

 

In order to be able to save lives it is important to recognize early warning sign (symptoms) of cardiovascular emergencies and respond immediately.

Heart Attack: Warning Signs

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often the people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some signs that can mean a heart attack is happening.

  • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain 
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. 
  •  Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort 
  • Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. 

 

Stroke: Warning Signs

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes 
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Any of the above symptoms may be temporary and last only a few minutes. This may be due to a “mini- stroke” called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIAs are extremely important indicators of an impending stroke. Don’t ignore them! 

 

Action required: Immediately contact local emergency services 9-1-1 US / 1-1-2 Europe

 Source: American Heart Association